Toronto Maple Leafs eye Dallas Eakins as next head coach

General manager John Chayka is reportedly keeping former AHL and DEL coach Dallas Eakins in the running for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ vacant head‑coach position. Sources familiar with the search say Eakins is praised for his “transparency” and open‑door communication style, traits that could bring clarity to the club’s roster.

Eakins, a former Leafs player, has coached at several levels, including stints as an assistant with the Leafs and Toronto Marlies, head coach of the Marlies (2009‑13), and recent head‑coach duties with Germany’s Adler Mannheim, which reached the DEL final last season. Other names mentioned as candidates are former Leafs captain Patrick Roy, former assistant Jay Woodcroft, former NHL forward Joe Pavelski, and Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy, should he become available.

Chayka has stressed that the coaching search will be thorough and that the eventual hire will be a critical decision for the franchise’s future.